5 Tips on Improving Video Quality

There are numerous reasons why video content is preferred by most social media users. First, it’s been shown that videos generate more engagement. Second, videos tend to keep people on your page longer, giving them more time to absorb your content and brand and helping it “stick.” And finally, videos communicate a lot of information in a short burst, making them a great way to share product and brand information. It’s important to note that just any video doesn’t usually work. While you don’t need to hire a video production team, high-quality videos are key to helping to boost engagement of your content. Learn how to improve the video quality of your social media videos with these PLANOLY tips.

Equipment

First things first – you can create high-quality video on the fly without expensive video equipment. If you have a newer version of a smartphone that you are already using to take pictures, surf the web and make phone calls, you have what you need to record videos. There are a few external pieces of equipment you could purchase such as a ring light and tripod to take your video from amateur-looking to wow!

Beyond the lighting and camera, having an external microphone is another good investment as it will help your video’s sound come through nice and clear.

Lights

Lighting is one of, if not, the most important element of a video. PLANOLY has previously provided readers with beginner lighting tips. Let’s review a few of the basics here.

Utilize three-point lighting which is a technique that uses three light sources: a key light, a back light and a fill light.
Understand what light temperature is and adjust it according to the vibe you want to create for your video.
Utilize the natural light from outside or coming in through a window. However, keep your video subjects away from the window if the window is behind them.

Sound

Sound is a powerful element of video - whether it is voice or music. When you record a video, be aware of any background noise that could get picked up during recording.

Make sure to do a test run with your video before recording. Place the camera where you have the best view and light and then start talking. Is your voice clear or does it sound like you are recording from a cave or underwater?

Another factor to consider is the sound quality when uploading a video to social media. “When we film content for any of our social channels we make sure write down a few talking points to ensure we are able to pace ourselves to consider the different time parameters.” - Carrie Boswell PLANOLY’s Digital Marketing Content Specialist

Lastly, consider using text captions for your videos. These are helpful not only for your hearing impaired audience but also for those who are watching videos with the sound off or down.

Know your audience and the platform you are posting on when determining the video sound and whether or not to include captions. It has been reported that 85% of Facebook users watch the videos without sound. Compare that to TikTok where sound is an integral part of the experience.

Action

Each platform displays videos differently so you want to be sure and upload video that will display appropriately for that platform.

Additionally, each platform has a different video length maximum, resolutions and file type requirements. If you plan to record a video to share on Instagram, plan it out and keep it at 60 seconds or less. Here is a quick guide:

Facebook:

Video dimensions: 1280 x 720

File format: MP4 and MOV

Max time: 240 minutes

TikTok:

Video dimensions: 1080×1920

File format: MP4 and MOV

Max time: 15-60 seconds, depending on if recorded in the app or uploaded

Instagram Videos (Reels and IGTV may vary):

Video dimensions: 1080 x 1080

File format: MP4 and MOV

Max time: 1 minute

Now you know some tips to enhance your video quality. Although you know the tools to capture the best video, the content remains equally important. When recording videos for social media, be sure to pick topics that are interesting and engaging. Some content ideas include tutorial videos such as hacks and tips for daily living, an interview with someone interesting or a day in the life video using clips from an entire day’s worth or recording. Whichever topic you select, make sure to have a basic script and video concept written down before you begin. Though you want to create high-quality video quickly and even on the fly, you can still carve out a couple of minutes to plan.

Recently, PLANOLY launched a Video Planner for TikTok where you can simplify getting from idea to post by planning all your TikTok content in one place. Check it out and learn more here!

Another useful tool to help you with all of your social media video content creation and planning is the Reels Planner. With this tool, you can plan, organize, and auto-post your Reels from the web dashboard or mobile app!